Michelle Gilliam, Brad Kirkham and Patrice Cook

The team’s innovative teaching idea, “Panther Pantry Pizzeria,” is focused on teaching students how to grow organic food and prepare healthy meals. Students in the CDC and Agriculture Science classrooms will learn these valuable lessons by growing a pizza garden. The pizza garden will consist of fresh herbs and vegetables that can be used on healthy, homemade pizza crusts. Ingredients will be packaged and donated to the Panther Pantry, which is an in-school food pantry for Portland High School students. Additionally, the students will work cooperatively to learn about growing fresh fruits and vegetables year-round in a greenhouse and in containers in the classroom, while also studying healthy eating initiatives.